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It’s hard to believe it is October! The school year is well under way and so are fall high school sports. I have thoroughly enjoyed what we call the “Interim” period, which provides State Legislators a time to be back home in our respective districts, catching up on local issues and meeting with constituents.
My last update was just after “Sine Die,” the official conclusion of the six-month long Legislative Session which runs from January through the end of June. As I am writing this, we just finished September Legislative Days at the State Capitol in Salem. This time provides an opportunity for all committees to meet about possible legislation that could be introduced during the 2024 Legislative Short Session (February through Mid-March). This also provides a time for legislators to connect with stakeholders about any approaching critical or controversial topics.
In the past month, I have been busy traveling from Reedsport, to La Grande, to Salem. Keep reading below for an update on Oregon news, important policy information, as well as events happening in and around our district.
Standing With Israel
The news coming out of Israel has been devastating with now more than 1,100 innocent lives lost to Hamas terrorist attacks. My prayers are with the Israeli people as they seek to defend themselves from this terrorist organization that seeks to permanently destroy the Jewish people.
I appreciate House Republican Leader Helfrich for calling on Governor Kotek to lower flags to half-staff in recognition of this atrocity, and to stand in solidarity with Oregon’s Jewish community during this challenging time. Read his entire statement here.
Appointed to Governor Kotek’s Early Literacy Council
Over the summer, I was pleased to announce my appointment to the Governor’s Early Literacy Educator Preparation Council. The goal of this council is to improve reading instruction for Oregon students by focusing on teacher preparation programs and licensing requirements.
As a former educator and administrator of over 30 years, I firmly believe that all students deserve to be taught the skills necessary for phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension by educators who understand the methodology to teach those skills effectively.
The release of recent assessment scores show that Oregon schools have a long way to go to get our students caught up from pandemic learning loss, with just 40% of students proficient in reading and writing, and only 30% proficient in math. While I am extremely concerned about these numbers, I hope I can bring a commonsense perspective to the Governor’s Council and be a force for good.
PAC-12 Conference Update
In August, the State of Oregon was rocked by the University of Oregon’s announcement to leave the PAC-12 Conference for the Big Ten ahead of the 2024-2025 Season.
In the Legislature, I serve on the House Higher Education Committee where recently, we heard from economists and officials from Oregon State University and the University of Oregon about UO and other schools leaving the PAC-12 Athletic Conference next year. In the past month, I have also met with representatives from both Oregon State University and University of Oregon.
I will remain actively engaged in this issue and its impact on the lives of student-athletes at both Oregon State University and the University of Oregon, as well as the State of Oregon as a whole.
Budget Surplus Leads to Record Kicker
Information Provided By the Oregon Department of Revenue:
The Oregon Office of Economic Analysis (OEA) has confirmed a revenue surplus of more than $5.61 billion in the 2021-2023 biennium, triggering a tax surplus credit, or “kicker,” for the 2023 tax year. The surplus will be returned to taxpayers through a credit on their 2023 state personal income tax returns filed in 2024. The credit is based on tax liability for the 2022 tax year. Taxpayers who have not yet filed a 2022 tax return, should file now so they can claim their kicker credit when they file their 2023 tax return.
Personal income taxpayers can determine the amount of their kicker using a “What’s My Kicker?” calculator available on Revenue Online. To use the calculator, taxpayers will need to enter their name, Social Security Number, and filing status for 2022 and 2023.
Former Governor Brown’s Commutations
This summer, news broke that an individual whose sentence was commuted by former Governor Brown had been charged with the murder of four women in the Portland Metro area. This is a tragedy that never should have occured. In response, I joined my House Republican colleagues in calling on Governor Kotek to thoroughly review every one of the commutations signed by her predecessor.
Below are a few highlights from the past few months. It is an honor to travel across House District 9 and our beautiful state to hear about the problems facing Oregonians and how we can be advocates for meaningful change in the Legislature.
Bay Area Chamber Meeting
Recently, I had the opportunity to address the Bay Area Chamber on the topic of what I believe is or can be the future of public education on the coast and the state. Presently, as a parent, educator, and legislator, I remain frustrated that fewer than half of our children are able to read on grade level by third grade. I remain hopeful that the Governor’s Early Literacy Council I now serve on can be a catalyst for change.
Rep. Wright addresses the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce.
OFS Tree Seedling Production Tour
Last month, I attended the Oregonians for Food and Shelter (OFS) Tour to showcase critical aspects of forestry and community restoration – tree seedling production! We were able to tour the Weyerhaeuser Regeneration Center in Turner, Oregon where we looked at the seed orchard, nursery, and greenhouse operations there.
Pictured Left to Right: State Senator Weber, Representative Wright, and John Jayne with Cascade Timber Consulting.
Pictured: State Senator Brock Smith and Representative Wright.
La Grande Trip
In September, I traveled to La Grande to meet with Dr. Ronda Fritz, Associate Professor of Education who specializes in elementary education and early literacy instruction and Dr. Rae Ette Newman, the Interim Dean of the College of Education at Eastern Oregon University.
I initially heard of their excellent teacher prep program in an article from the National Council on Teacher Quality - Teacher Prep Review: Strengthening Elementary Reading Instruction 2023. They were graded on the adequate coverage of the science of reading core components in their undergraduate and graduate teacher prep programs. There were 5 components: Phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. They received an A in their undergraduate program and a B in their graduate program - the best in Oregon according to the review.
I was able to learn more about their teacher prep program and to see teachers teaching reading based on the science of reading research. I was impressed with the program and the amount of teaching practice required to graduate. In addition, each future teacher will have an attached endorsement in teaching students with dyslexia and English as a second language.
I sat in on one classroom (picture below) where instruction was occurring and focusing on the 5 components with second grade students. I was impressed with the instruction and how much the students were participating and enjoying the lesson.
Representative Wright sits in on classroom discussion at Eastern Oregon University.
Offshore Wind Update
A major topic of conversation in Coos Bay has been the Federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s (BOEM) potential placement of a floating offshore wind energy project. Concerns have been raised by both the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw, as well as many representatives of the local fishing industry and concerned citizens.
In September, I stated that while jobs are important, this project should not come at the cost of the fishing industry.
BOEM hosted three in-person meetings in Gold Beach, Coos Bay, and Brookings in September. You can read more about the recent Coos Bay meeting here.
The public comment period ends THIS MONDAY, October 16th. You can submit comments here.
Student Spotlight: Brynn & Haley Buskerud
My office and I would like to recognize North Bend High School Seniors, Brynn and Haley Buskerud, who recently clinched Gold and Bronze medals in the U23 category at the 2023 Pan-American games in El Guadalajara, Mexico. They also secured Gold in Ju No Kata and Bronze in Nage No Kata, marking a stellar debut on the international stage. This is a remarkable feat! Congratulations on this incredible accomplishment.
Pictured: North Bend High School Seniors, Brynn and Haley Buskerud.
Remembering Joanne Verger
As we wrap up this month’s newsletter, I would like to take a moment to send my condolences to the family and friends of longtime public servant, Joanne Verger, who passed away this past month. Joanne Verger was on the Coos Bay City Council from 1990 to 1992 and then served as Mayor of Coos Bay, Oregon from 1992 to 2000. She served in the Oregon House of Representatives from 2000 to 2005 and represented Oregon State Senate District 5 from 2005 until her retirement in 2013. She will be missed.
Pictured: Joanne Verger.
As always, thank you for reading! It is an honor to serve as your State Representative.
Sincerely,
Representative Boomer Wright
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1409
Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, H-372, Salem, OR 97301
Email: Rep.BoomerWright@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/wright
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